Your Team

As I write, baseball and softball seasons are in full swing. Earlier, people picked the members to play on their teams, put in countless hours of practice, and so on. Perhaps some who previously played for one team are now playing for another. Things change constantly in this world, including in sports, so we never can know what to expect. Not so with God and our eternal destination. He has promised an unchanging, glorious inheritance to those who are His own, and to those who are not His, the future is just as certain, only not at all bright.

To anyone who isn’t sure which eternal team they are on yet, now would be a good time to get that straight. Just as with sports, there are only two sides–everyone is on one or the other. The two options are: 1) eternal bliss with God living among us, or 2) eternal torment with Satan and his evil angels. This isn’t something to take lightly.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” John 3:16-19

Jesus said: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30 (Also see Matt. 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9, John 12:25-26)

Only God can draw a soul to Himself. He draws near to those who seek Him and respond to His calling. (Jam. 4:8, John 6:44, Matt. 8:22, Mark 1:17, John 6:37-40) So my main focus will be on the consequences of the choice made once that has occurred. Jesus said to count the cost in advance. (Luke 14:27-33, Luke 9:62) There seem to be a wide variety of conflicting teachings, and so many are confused. Salvation (which is justification–being declared “not guilty”/atonement–being “made right” with God) is a one-time event, but believers then undergo a lifelong process called sanctification (which is being perfected and made holy, in the image of Jesus). (Rom. 8:29, 1Pet. 1:15-16) We are sanctified in God’s eyes at the time we come to believe even though we can see that in a practical sense we have much growing and maturing in Christ yet to do. (1Pet. 2:2-3, Heb. 5:12-14, Heb. 6:1-3, 1Cor. 3:1-3, Gal. 2:20) We were cleansed and purified, but because we still live on the earth in these weak bodies of flesh, there is constant temptation and danger of becoming dirty again. (2Cor. 10:3-6, 1Pet. 4:1-5, Rom. 8:5-11) We will not be fully sanctified until we depart this earth and are glorified as well. (Rom. 8:12-30, 2Thess. 1:9-12)

PREPARATION

If you think about it, even baseball fans make preparations before attending a game, right? They buy a ticket, plan their route and how long it takes to get there, make sure they have enough gas, bring along food to tailgate or money to buy it there, etc. They also make sure their favorite sports team shirt is clean. Jesus provides us with a pristine white garment when He washes away our sins. We need to keep it on and keep it white by walking WITH Him. (This is also referred to as walking IN Him or in the Spirit.) If we find at the last minute that the shirt we were going to wear to the game was in the wash, we could buy a new one at the game. Not so with the garment of salvation and robe of righteousness. JESUS is the ONLY provider of that garment and the ONLY one who can wash away new stains that appear after we received it. (Rev. 3:4, 16:15, 1John 1:9)

Jesus told a parable about a man not having the sense to count the cost before starting a building project. (Luke 14:25-35) This would be like having enough money to buy the ticket, but how does it correlate to salvation? Jesus said we need to give up all claim on our lives for Him IF we love Him and want to follow Him. If we’re not willing to do that, then we don’t have sufficient funds to finish what we started. We can’t BUY salvation–not with money or good deeds. The “ticket” is free, but when we turn back, deciding not to continue on the journey we started, it’s like throwing away our ticket or turning the car around and going back home (to the world, in this case.) (1John 2:19, John 6:60-71, Heb. 10:36-39) So in other words, this is NOT a game.

Jesus also told a parable about ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom, but half of them ran out of oil in their lamps before he arrived. This would be similar to having enough gas to drive to the game. The one who runs out might miss the game by the time they walk who knows how far to get gas and then back again to their car. The five foolish virgins realized they had run out of oil for their lamps (His word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path and faith comes by hearing the word - Psa. 119:105, Rom. 10:17) as he was arriving and went to buy some, but they MISSED it when those who were READY went in with him. Jesus warns that we are to “keep our tanks full” of the Holy Spirit through His word. We’re to keep watch (walk in the Spirit, paying attention to how we live–for His glory, not for ourselves) and be ready (found faithfully serving Him when He returns) at all times. (Matt. 24:42-25)

OBEDIENCE

We probably have in mind a checklist of items to bring with us to the game. These things help us to enjoy the game more - hat, sunscreen, camera, etc. If we are told NOT to bring certain items, we will abide by those rules, won’t we? They might not let us in otherwise. (2Tim. 2:3-5, 1Cor. 9:24-27) Should we take preparations for eternal life less seriously than we do when we attend a baseball game? It’s a sad fact that the majority do just that. Jesus said the gate is narrow, but people think they can squeeze all their junk through it. They want to keep one foot in the world and one in the next. Those who are wise will not consider the worthless treasures of this world as more valuable than the kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:19-34, Matt. 13:44-46)

There is a difference between a sheep who has lost its way and can’t find the way back home and a person who is deliberately running away and hiding from God. Ask Jonah how that worked out for him! (Jonah 1-4) Jesus came to seek and save the LOST. (Luke 19:10) The father in the parable of the prodigal son waited for him to return. He didn’t run after him, pleading with him. He waited patiently for him to regain his senses and come back home. When he did, his father rejoiced and forgave him for his disgraceful behavior. (Luke 15:11-31) Our Father has what we need and, if we have any sense, what we WANT. He doesn’t beg or force us to accept it. He won’t, because 1) He is GOD, our Creator - we answer to Him, not the other way around, and 2) that would not prove our faith in and love for Him to be genuine.

No amount of “working on ourselves” will make us holy or perfect, but His Spirit transforms us from within with our cooperation. God doesn’t force us to believe, nor does He force us to obey Him (but we are exhorted to do both, because we CAN use the gift of our free will to unwisely resist Him). He uses various means to make His will known, most importantly His Holy Spirit through His Holy Word. He draws us to the well and offers us the water of life to drink, but he doesn’t force us to drink it. Once we drink it, that water should well up inside of us and overflow, not become poisonous or be kept only for ourselves. We are meant to be lights drawing people like moths to Jesus; like the salt of the earth. (John 4:13-14, James 3:9-12, Col. 2:6-7, Matt. 5:13-16, Rev. 22:17)

LOYALTY

If we believe Jesus, the Son of God, died to pay the full penalty for our sins and rose again, and will be returning for those who are His, we are not meant to go along with the flow and blend in. Our lives should be different in a good way, so that others will see how good our God is. (2Tim. 3:12, Matt. 5:10-16, John 14:2-3, 1Thess. 4:16-17, John 17:6) Needless to say, if we appear to be the same as everyone else, then there will be no persecution as we were told to expect, will there? It undoubtedly makes our earthly lives easier when we don’t “rock the boat,” but we will have to give an answer to God for how we lived after receiving such a great and precious gift of eternal life, not to each other. (Gal. 1:10, 2Tim. 2:4-7)

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” John 15:18-21

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:4-10

What if our friends and family all live in the same worldly way and we don’t want to seem “weird” to take salvation “too seriously”? There were people like that in Jesus’ day–people who believed but didn’t follow Him. They didn’t want to be persecuted for going against the flow. Jesus said if we love anyone more than Him, we’re not worthy of Him. He said that those who do the will of God are His family. We should think in the same way since it is only through Him that we are adopted into God’s family. (Mark 3:31-35, Rom. 8:29, Gal. 4:4-6) Our attitude should be a desire to reach the lost, not to join them. (Psa. 37, Psa. 73)

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:42-46

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

FOLLOWERS

Jesus didn’t come to make people feel comfortable in their sins. He came because He is the ONLY one who could take their sins away. He was the only one who could perfectly keep the law so that His sacrifice of Himself could atone for OUR sins. (Rom. 3:23-26, John 8:23-24) He is offering NEW life to sinners, who are under the sentence of death. He made it clear to everyone that repentance IS required. (John 5:14, John 8:10-11) He came to light a fire–to separate the wheat from the chaff. John the Baptist warned people that just claiming to belong to God was not enough. (Matt. 3:7-12, Luke 12:49-53) That includes believers separating themselves from the world AND from people who love it, who would hinder us from following Jesus. (Matt. 19:20-22, Matt. 8:22, John 8:44, 1Cor. 15:33-34) (This does not mean abandoning your spouse and young children who need you. 1Cor. 7:10-17, 1Tim. 5:8)

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Whoever chooses to be on the team opposing God (remember, you are either FOR or AGAINST–there are NO neutral observers in this battle between God and Satan) will be deceived by the coming evil one (if they are alive then) and will join him in his eternal punishment. Only those whose names are in Jesus' book of life will recognize the signs and wonders he is allowed to perform to be false, and hold fast to Jesus even unto physical death if necessary, to gain their eternal lives.

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Revelation 13:1-18

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:9-13

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

RAPTURE

If you are a believer and are positive that you will be raptured prior to the reign of the beast, I am not disrespecting your beloved pastor or favorite, most trusted Bible scholar. However, we must each consult the full counsel of God and let His Spirit within us help us to understand, always checking what they say against the Bible. (Acts 17:11, John 14:26) Something to consider in YOUR personal study is that the seven letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 were addressed to CHURCHES. In other words, they are ALL written to professed believers. When we read those letters, we can see a little bit of ourselves in most of them, can’t we? Each letter was to be read by each church, even though there were individual messages particular to each one. We can likewise learn from them to see what Jesus wants us to do–in a word, OVERCOME. He warned us that we WILL have tribulation, but we know that because He has overcome it, then we can, too, by HIS power within us. (Rev. 16:33, 1John 4:4)

Notice that only ONE of the churches (Philadelphia) was promised to be SPARED (how that is accomplished is not specified, but the open door in Rev. 3:7-8 seems to point to the one in Rev. 4:1) from the "hour of trial to come on the whole world" which appears to be the "reign of the beast" (which is Satan’s wrath, part of God’s perfect plan for testing those who dwell on the earth - Rev. 12:12, Rom. 9:22). (Rev. 3:10, Rev. 17:12) Why would He keep those of the Church of Philadelphia from it? He tell us! It's because they had ALREADY unswervingly endured persecution–to such a degree as to prompt Him to promise them that their persecutors will bow before their feet. (Rev. 3:9, 2Thess. 1:4-10, Matt. 5:10-12) They hadn't denied Jesus even though it was painful for them, and yet even they were told to HOLD FAST to their crowns and overcome in order to receive the promised reward. (Rev. 3:11, Gal. 4:28-29, Heb. 6:11-12, Heb. 10:23-39 (especially v. 36), James 1:2-4, 1:12, 2:5, 2Tim. 4:6-8 )

God alone will determine who (among those living at the time) has and who has not endured sufficient persecution without wavering, such that they have “tested out” of the “hour of trial” because they have “passed” the test of faith and been found to be genuine. (1Pet. 1:6-7) Therefore, I don't feel that it is ethical to assure all who claim to be believers (no matter whether their lives even display fruit of the Spirit or not - Gal. 5:22-25) that they are members of the "Church of Philadelphia" and thus will somehow be spared going through ANY tribulation (as opposed to God's wrath). Tribulation clearly comes before God’s wrath/the Day of the Lord. Notice that the order of events in the sun, moon and stars compared with tribulation and the Day of the Lord. Also, the “lawless one” reveals himself not at the beginning of his rule, but when he commits the abomination that makes desolation. Prior to that, he is promising peace. (Dan. 9:27) Even after that point, it is not yet the Day of the Lord but the beginning of birth pangs. (2Thess. 2:1-4, Matt. 24:23-28)

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. Acts 2:19-20

Likewise, I feel it’s inappropriate and even dangerous to assure people who once checked a box on a card saying they accepted Christ as their Savior (or something similar) that they are eternally saved even though they have lived as enemies of the cross ever since–with no change whatsoever in their lifestyle. True believers are a new creation in Christ and that reality will gradually be revealed from the inside out over time. (Philipp. 3:17-19, Philipp. 2:12-13) That is not “working for salvation,” it is working “out” salvation, through the power of the Holy Spirit within. If He is not present, then we have not been born again. (Romans 8:6-14) TODAY is the day to give your whole heart to God and surrender to His perfect will and transforming power if you previously only made a verbal confession of faith, or none at all. The big question isn’t when Jesus will return, but when OUR OWN personal appointment with God will be. There will be a time coming when it will be too late to “switch teams.” God is going to send a delusion on those who refused to love the truth while they had the chance during this age of grace. (2Thess. 2:9-12, Rev. 13:11-14) He is not interested in FANS, but in serious, honest “competitors” (to run the good race, fight the good fight of faith and win souls).

WRATH OR TRIBULATION

Back to our discussion about the letters to the Churches, why didn't Jesus just have John write one letter, to Philadelphia, saying they are the only ones who are the true church and everyone else will perish? Or why did He offer hope to the others even though they were not given a promise to be spared? I think that it is because the others won't all perish–MANY will NOT be deceived by the antichrist. Who are those people who refuse the mark of the beast and are martyred if they are not believers whose names are written in the book of life? (Remember, everyone on earth whose name is NOT in the book will be deceived, take the mark and worship the beast.) But if they are on the earth at this time and their names are in the Lamb’s book of life, but they are not kept from it somehow as promised to the Church of Philadelphia, then they will be purified and refined through tribulation–made worthy of the Lamb, even if it costs them their physical lives. (Matt. 10:26-39, Matt. 16:24-27, Mark 8:34-38, Dan. 11:33-34, 12:10, Dan. 7:21-22) They will overcome by holding fast until the end of the trial. (Rev. 2:7, 11, 26, Rev. 3:5, 21, Rev. 13:7-10, 21:27, Rev. 7:14)

The church is not appointed to God's wrath, but God uses tribulation and trial (throughout the age) to purify and refine our faith. (1Pet. 1:6-9, Acts 5:41, 2Thess. 1:4-10, 1Pet. 4:12-19, 1Pet. 5:6-10, Romans 8:16-19, Acts 14:21-22, Heb. 12, Luke 22:31, Mark 9:49-50, Isa. 48:10) For us to say that we couldn’t possibly go through the hour of trial/reign of the beast would be to suggest that God loves us believers in this age more than He loved those in ages past? We know that is simply not true! Suffering for Jesus’ sake is to be viewed as a privilege. (Acts 5:41, 9:16, Philipp. 1:29-30, Heb. 13:13, 1Pet. 2:21)

God is perfectly able to protect His people from His own wrath. The Israelites were in Egypt during all ten plagues, yet not harmed by any of them (whereas only the last one, the Passover, refers to Jesus’ atonement as the Lamb of God). The Israelites did suffer at the hand of the Egyptians, though. Lot was not removed from the earth, but to a safe location when Sodom and the other cities like it were destroyed. (Gen. 19:15-26) (Note that Lot was brought to safety inside the house by the angels while the blind men, probably also representing spiritual blindness in addition to their depravity, sought to harm them through the night. The city was destroyed at dawn.) The woman who gives birth in Rev. 12 (who is a “sign” not a literal woman) is taken to a place prepared for her in the wilderness. (Rev. 12:1-6, 13-16) Before Elijah was taken up to heaven in the chariot, he was cared for by birds in the wilderness for a period of time and then in the house of a widow for 3 ½ years during drought. (1Kings 17, Luke 24:25-26) Elisha sent a woman to take shelter elsewhere for 7 years during a drought as well. (2Kings 8) So God is able.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 2 Peter 2:4-10

Once Jesus removes those who are His from the earth, including those who died abiding IN Him and those still alive (this is the first resurrection–the rest live after the millennium. Rev. 20, Heb. 9:27-28, 1Thess. 4:16-17, 1Cor. 15:51-52), God's wrath will begin in earnest. (Isa. 26:20-21, Zeph. 2:3, Rev. 15:5-8, Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 15:1, Rev. 11:15-19) Please understand that “abiding” does NOT mean simply professing faith without following Jesus–it means to love, serve, honor and obey, to bear fruit. (John 15:8-14)

WALK IN HIS STEPS

Jesus Himself is Head of the Church and our judge (Eph. 1:22-23, 5:23, Col. 1:18, 2Cor. 5:10), and He is not happy with at least some aspects of the "walk" of five of the other six churches. (Smyrna is told to endure despite having no faults pointed out. Rev. 2:9-11, 1Pet. 2:21) Some true believers will be saved “as through the fire” but with loss of reward. (1Cor. 3:10-17) I believe this is why Paul exhorts us all so strenuously that we should “run a good race” and “fight the good fight.” There is great reward in it. If it were as simple as making a confession of faith, Paul most certainly would already have “attained” it. A clue may be in the word “ek” in Greek, which means “out of.” The word we use for “church” is “ekklesia,” meaning “called out.” Paul uses it in reference to the resurrection. (1Tim. 6:12) Obviously everyone, good and bad, will be resurrected eventually, but not to the same eternal reality. Toward the end of his ministry and life, Paul expresses that he knows that he has accomplished his goal (through the power of Christ, of course). (2Tim. 4:6-8) “Those who love His appearing” are the same ones who have no need to “shrink back in shame at His coming.” (1John 2:28-29, Heb. 10:32-39) (i.e. overcomers - Gal. 6:17, Col. 1:24-26, Acts 20:22-31)

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection out from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:7-21

REWARDS

Sadly, Jesus is not pleased with any aspect of the last church addressed in Rev. 2-3, Laodicea. He is being merciful in warning them (and us) of what it takes to be counted worthy of the kingdom. (1Thess. 2:10-12, 2Thess. 1:5, Acts 5:40-42, 2Pet. 1:8-11) Notice that being worthy is never connected to salvation (only belief), but it IS connected to the kingdom? This is about rewards. This is one case where it’s NOT “the thought that counts,” but about putting your money (and your very LIFE) where your mouth is. This is about “in truth and Spirit” not “rote and ritual.” (John 4:23, Matt. 15:8-9)

It matters whether we receive our FULL reward from Him, because it brings HIM (who is our life and our very heart - Col. 3:4, 1Pet. 1:8-9) glory, honor and pleasure to reward us for our faithfulness to Him. (Rev. 4:10, 11:18, Rev. 20:6, 1Cor. 3:14-16) Is part of that potential reward the honor of reigning with Him "with a rod of iron" during the millennium, as part of the first resurrection? (Rev. 2:26-27, 3:21) Paul seemed to think so–he certainly didn’t question his own faith, as though he needed to contribute to his salvation. (Philipp. 3:8-21, 1Cor. 9:24-10:13) Paul also said the Thessalonians were his crown of glory and exhorted them to live in a manner worthy of the Lord. (1Thess. 2:19-20, 1Thess. 4:1-12)

Notice Jesus didn't say in Matt. 19:19-23, "You who merely made a verbal confession of faith," but they FOLLOWED and gave up everything for Him. (Luke 9:62) Peter said to practice qualities that demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, not to forget that we have been cleansed of our former sins, but to confirm our calling and election so that we may look forward to being granted entrance into the kingdom. (2Pet. 1:5-12) And the writer of Hebrews was very concerned with persevering in faith until the end. (Heb. 3:5-14, Heb. 6:4-12, Heb. 12) We must never deny or be ashamed of Jesus and our faith in Him, no matter what may happen. If we keep our mouths shut now because the world hates our message to the “extreme” point of calling us names or “unfriending” us, what will we do when they threaten our very lives? (Luke 19:37-40, Matt. 10:17-22)

ISRAEL

Some say the entire tribulation refers only to Israel, not the church, but remember that the church is grafted into Israel. (Rom. 11:11-32) Again, six of the CHURCHES are not promised to be kept from the “hour of trial to come on the whole world,” but rather they are exhorted to overcome by enduring until Jesus returns (before God’s wrath begins). If they do not wake up and keep watch, He will come upon them like a thief in the night. (Matt. 24:42-44, Luke 12:38-40, 1Thess. 5:1-11, Rev. 17:14) doesn’t say that the “called, chosen and professing to believe” return with Jesus. It says the “called, chosen and FAITHFUL” return with Him. The faith of these souls was tested and found to be REAL. They didn’t fall away the minute things got tough. The second death will not hurt them–they are part of the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:1-2)

We (the Church–Jewish and Gentile believers in this age) are special in that we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant, whereas the vast majority of God’s people in the Old Covenant did not receive the Spirit. It doesn’t mean that God will not test, discipline and chastise us the same as He has always done, but that we have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Believers in this age have been given by the Father to Jesus. (John 17:6, Rom. 8:23, James 1:18, 1Pet. 1:6-7, Heb. 12, Rev. 3:19) We have already entered into the New Covenant. (Luke 22:19-20, 1Cor. 11:23-25, 2Cor. 3:2-6) The Old Covenant is obsolete. (Heb. 8:13) This was foretold in the Old Testament. It is not a changing of God’s mind, but part of the plan all along. (Jer. 31:31-33)

When those Jews who are presently “hardened of heart” from accepting the Gospel “recover” from their condition (at the time the fullness of the Gentiles comes in), they will enter into the New Covenant as well. (Heb. 8-9, Romans 11:11, 25) Now that Christ has come and finished His perfect work of redemption, the only way to have peace with God is through Him. (Acts 4:12, Heb. 1, 1Tim. 2:5-6, 1Cor. 3:11, 1John 1:5-2:6, 1John 5:10-12) Prior to that people were saved by faith as well, but they needed to believe that if they were obedient, God would accept them. Their transgressions were only taken away temporarily by repeated animal sacrifices, but they believed in the promise of the future Savior. (Heb. 11:6) God has made one new man from the two through Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant. (Heb. 2:11-22, Gal. 3:28) Jesus said He was making one flock from the two. (John 10:16) Notice how the New Jerusalem has twelve foundations with the names of the apostles and twelve gates with the names of the tribe of Israel, and Jesus has 24 elders? (Rev. 21:2, 21:12-14, Rev. 4:3-4, Isa. 24:23)

STAY AWAKE

Am I saying that there is no such thing as a rapture and the church will suffer God’s wrath? No (but I have separated the “tribulation” from the “Day of the Lord” according to the Bible, not my own preference). The inclusion of Gentiles along with believing Jews in the Body of Christ, indwelt by His Spirit, was a “mystery” to the Old Testament prophets, revealed first to Peter in Acts 10 and then to Paul, who was made the apostle to the Gentiles. (Rom. 16:25-27, Rom. 10:16-21, Rom. 11:11-13, Gal. 2:7-8, 1Tim. 2:7, Eph. 1:7-10, Eph. 3:1-12, Eph. 5:32, Col. 1:18-29, 1Pet. 1:10-12, Rev. 10:5-7) This was due to the rejection of of Jesus by the Jews as a whole. (Matt. 21:42-44, Rom. 11:28-32 Acts 2:21) I actually think that those “given” to Jesus by the Father (John 6:37, 17:6) will reach their full number at the same time as the “fullness of the Gentiles comes in” (Rom. 11:25), at which time the Church, which is His Body, will be complete and gathered to Him.

We need to be ready. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 7:21) This seems at first glance to be contradictory, but Jesus is to be LORD. If we call on Him without our HEARTS, without any intention whatsoever of obeying Him, but only with our lips, then we have made a false confession (and He knows our very thoughts). (Rom. 10:8-10, Rev. 2:23) Obedience is required to “see Jesus” and “enter the Kingdom.” (Rom. 8:19) The kingdom is “within” is another way of saying that we must be born again to be heirs of the kingdom. (Luke 17:20-21)

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:11-17

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:15-26

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:3-6

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:1-14

DEVOTION

We are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon belief, but yet in John 14-16, Jesus equates obedience with love and makes it a requirement of the Spirit making His home in us (which is what “born again” is) and our abiding in Him. (Luke 17:21) Repentance, forgiveness and cleansing by Jesus’ blood are necessary to maintain a holy temple where God resides. We don’t earn salvation, but we don’t play games with God once we have it. Those who do not LOVE Jesus (as shown by their actions, words and attitudes–He expects to be OBEYED) are NOT born again. To know Him is to love Him. (1John 3:6) Faith without works is just as dead as works without faith. (Jam. 2:14-26, 2Pet. 1:3-12) This would explain why so many people CLAIM to believe, yet show NO fruits of the Spirit. They are not born again. (John 6:63) Their spirits are still “dead,” not regenerated by the Holy Spirit who makes us new in Christ. (Rom. 6:4, John 6:63, 2Cor. 5:17)

Rather than take the precious gift of salvation for granted and go on living as we did before, we should treasure it. (Col. 2:1-15) The joy of our salvation is what sustains us in difficult circumstances so that we can endure and even be content. (Philipp. 4:4-20) We need be ready to stand firm for Christ no matter what happens and be ready for His return no matter when that is. It’s over when God decides it’s over and nothing we can do will change it. If we KNOW Him, then we have no desire to change it, as all of His ways are perfect, good and right. There is NO reason to fear. God knows each of us better than we know ourselves. He will not allow any of us to be tempted or tried beyond our ability to resist. (2Pet. 2:9, 2Cor. 10:13, 1John 1:18, James 4:7) My point is not to scare anyone, but that we should settle it in the depths of our souls that whatever happens, we know that this life is temporary and our home is in heaven. Our physical bodies are "tents" or tabernacles/temples for the spiritual presence of the Lord. He will decide when it is time to “pull up the stakes” and welcome us home to Himself. (2Cor. 5, 2Peter 1, 1Cor. 3:16, 1Cor. 6:19-20) We are NEVER alone. (Heb. 13:5-6, Matt. 10:28)

Make sure not to claim the glorious promises of heavenly inheritance in Ephesians, Colossians and other Scriptures without heeding the admonition on how we "once walked" as Gentiles in our sins, but NOW we must grow in maturity, heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and walk in a worthy manner. God is not interested in lip service, but in our whole hearts. (Mark 7:6-5, John 4:23) We have no ability whatsoever to obey of our own power, with unregenerated spirits–it is through His Spirit giving us new life when we TRULY believe in our hearts that makes it possible (Rom. 8:5-14, Philipp. 2:12-16) (but it is STILL a choice - God doesn't force us to believe OR obey). We could in NO WAY EVER earn, deserve or repay our salvation, but once we ARE saved, we owe our entire lives and hearts to God. (Matt. 10:32-39, Luke 9:62, 2Tim. 2:19-22, Heb. 12:14-28, 1Cor. 9:10, Rev. 3:4, 1John 2:1-6, Gal. 6:7-10, 2Cor. 7:1, Eph. 4:17-24, Col. 3:1-11, Rom. 6, 7:1) If we are born again (and we must be in order to enter the kingdom of heaven), then we are one spirit with Jesus, who is HOLY. (John 3:3, 1Cor. 6:16-20)

OPEN DOOR

Notice in the following passage, Paul considers it an “open door” if he can tell someone about Jesus, even when he’s in prison. He exhorts us to be gracious and yet season our speech with salt. (In other words, don’t be argumentative and rude, but don’t just agree with people who oppose God’s ways in order to make your own life easier or to seem “nice,” either.) We’re not meant to toss everything we know of God out the window in order to placate the world.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:2-6

The above passage reminds me of the testimonies we hear on Voice of the Martyrs. We know that in Rev. 12:10-12, those who now dwell in heaven conquered because they “loved not their lives unto death.” Not all of the persecuted Christians in various places today are killed, but all endure suffering. They have persevered through persecution and many have been imprisoned for Jesus’ sake. They would welcome an “open door” like Paul and Silas experienced when in prison. (Acts 16:25-26, Rev. 3:7-8)

The one who loves Jesus is the one who obeys Jesus–that is who He "knows" because His Spirit dwells within them. (John 14:15-24, John 15:8-14, 1Thess. 4:3-8, 1John 2:1-6, 1John 3:9, 24) That person ABIDES in Jesus and obeys out of LOVE, keeping their "lamp filled with oil," from hearing the word. (Rom. 10:17, Luke 18:8, Psa. 119:05, Matt. 25:1-13, Rev. 2:3-5) In this way, they know what He expects of them, and they make His priorities their highest priorities. His honor and glory is their ultimate goal. If you think about it, would you believe someone if they said they loved you but they NEVER want to spend any time with you (or maybe just an hour once a week...) or even communicate with you–if they chose to spend all of their free time doing something else or with someone else, would you believe them? What about if they only do as you ask them to when they feel like it, or they don’t stand up for you when you are slandered, or even join in with your enemies? We may be able to fool others and even ourselves with fake faith, but God can’t be fooled. (Gal. 6:7-8, Matt. 6:24)

Let’s look at the flip side of the coin. When we do things to please someone we love, does that mean we are trying to bribe them? Do we only want them to give us something, or do we think that will make them love us? In this fallen world, sometimes that is our attitude toward each other and God, but that is a twisted view of love. Motive matters. If we’re trying to do “good works” (whether to “behave” or to do good “deeds”) because we think we can earn God’s love and salvation, that isn’t pleasing to Him. That’s not love–it’s choosing our own way instead of His ONE plan. If it’s based in fear of not receiving His love, that is a total lack of understanding His character–in other words not from knowledge of Him. (Eph. 3:14-21) Or, if we’re only after getting things from Him, then our motive is greed and selfishness. Neither of those could ever be a good basis for a relationship.

We obey God because He first loved us. (1 John 4:9-10) Jesus died for us before we even knew we needed salvation, while we were ignorant sinners. (Rom. 5:7-8) Our obedience is in response to the love we have already received from Him, and in response to the truth enlightening us as to our lost condition. (Rom. 6:20-23) Now we can know what pleases Him from reading our Bibles and His Holy Spirit illuminating the Word for us. (Eph. 5:8) Our ability to please Him begins with faith. When we are adopted into God’s family, that begins our accountability to Him and our new family. (John 1:12-13, 2Cor. 5:14-15, Eph. 4:17-18, 1Pet. 4:3, Gal. 6:1-2)

God doesn't change. (Heb. 13:8, Mal. 3:6) Don't consult a changing world for answers that are contained in the unchanging Bible that He inspired chosen men to write. (2Tim. 3:16-17, Col. 1:9-11, 2Pet. 1:5-12, 2Pet. 3:18, 1Pet. 1:16-21) His Spirit teaches believers so they can discern the truth. (1John 2:24-29, James 1:5-8, 1Cor. 2:12-14) If you are a believer and do not find this to be the case, then perhaps you don’t read your Bible much. Reading a verse per day on a phone app or email will not reap the same results as investing time reading an actual Bible.

To those who say they don’t believe–you are fooling yourself. (Rom. 1:18-21) It takes WAY more faith to believe that everything “just happened by chance” than to believe in God. But nevertheless, not believing does not change the fact that He exists any more than not believing in air, gravity or magnetism, which can’t be seen either, will cause them to cease to exist. I hear you saying that we can see the EFFECTS of those things. Just as we can with God, if we will admit the absurdity of “the big bang” and “evolution.”  If I tried to sell you a lottery ticket with the odds of winning matching the odds of things falling into place as they would have to for the world and all life to begin as is hypothesized, you would have enough sense not to buy it. Those kinds of odds are the same as impossible, and no amount of time passing will improve them. Not only that, but with each new discovery in science, the odds get worse instead of better. God perfectly designed the universe for our planet and our habitat for our bodies, which He also designed. And what about the fact that for “things” to collide, they have to exist. Think about that one for a bit... Where did those very first things come from? Don’t say anything collided with anything else until you can explain where those things came from in the first place. You can’t, can you? That is because there is no explanation, except for God. His very name “I AM” is the explanation. He has always been and always will be, and there is NO OTHER. Period.

HOLD FAST

For those of us who have acknowledged that God is God and we are not, we were also to have surrendered our selfish ways in favor of His perfect ways. We are told SO many times to behave in a way that honors God and to hold fast to the truth until the end. Jesus promised not to lose or cast out any of those given to Him by God, but not that there would be no consequence for disobedience (separate from the eternal penalty for disobeying the Gospel in unbelief). His parables indicated that there WILL be a consequence. (John 6:37-40, John 10:28-30, Matt. 18:32-35, Matt. 24:48-51, Matt. 25:10-13, Matt. 25:26-30, Luke 12:45-48, Luke 19:22-27 Also see Jude 1:5-7.) Jesus is not interested in lukewarm Christians making empty promises. (Rev. 2:4-5, Rev. 2:14-16, Rev. 2:20-23, Rev. 3:1-3, Rev. 3:15-19) How can anyone truly understand what He has done for us–the pain, anguish and suffering He endured on our behalf–and not want to give Him ALL? We were lost and He found us. We were dead and He gave us life. Is there such a thing as giving Him too much of ourselves in return? The earth and everything in it belongs to Him to begin with! (Psa. 24:1)

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Besides the fact that we should not be satisfied to give Jesus crumbs during this lifetime and suffer loss of reward for eternity, there is a very dire fact we must face. If we think that we will just be content to "settle for less" by choosing not to suffer: If we are alive, on the earth (some who have already conquered dwell in heaven by then - Rev. 12:10-12), during the reign of the beast (the "hour of trial" - Rev. 3:10, Rev. 17:12), then we will be forced to take sides. We can't just say, "I'm fine with being part of the second resurrection," because a choice is REQUIRED between worshiping God (sealed by the Holy Spirit, possibly losing our physical life - Matt. 10:28) or the beast (taking his mark in order to buy and sell, therefore survive, thereby losing our soul to eternal punishment). Take notice that cowardly people are included in the list of people not allowed to enter the Holy City. (Rev. 21:8) God is our strength and hope of deliverance. (Psa. 147:10-11) The Israelites who refused to enter into the promised land due to unbelief in His almighty power to give them the victory, despite all of the wondrous signs they had just seen, ended up dying in the desert after wandering forty years. (1Cor. 3:14-18, Rev. 22:14-20, Zeph. 3:11-13, Mal. 3:16-18, Psa. 95:6-11, Heb. 3-4)

WARNINGS

To those who encourage others to ignore the book of Revelation, or even make them feel like they're doing something wrong to show an interest in it, I would really be worried if I were you about the warning in Rev. 22:19. I would repent of disparaging ANY part of God's word (even if you were taught to do so by the tradition of those you trust). For that matter, if I were a teacher making a profit from God's word and telling people what they like to hear–little snippets of fluff out of context–I would repent as well! (Acts 20:26-32, 1Tim. 4:16, 1Tim. 6:3-16, 2Tim. 2, 2Pet. 2, Jude, Matt. 5:19, James 3:1, Titus 1:11, 2Tim. 4:1-4, 2John 1:8-11) And for anyone who disdains Israel, thinking that they “blew it” forever and that we get all the good things promised to them, there is also a stern warning. (Rom. 11:17-21, Jer. 31:31-37) We are grafted in to Israel. If God were to forsake Israel, then He wouldn’t be trustworthy and He wouldn’t be OUR God, who never does ANYTHING wrong or even less than perfect. (Psa. 89:20-37, Jer. 33:19-26, 35-37, Isa. 54:5-10)

Regardless of anyone's view on the rapture, I believe that what is meant by "watching" and "being ready" and "staying awake" or "waking up" is to live as though Jesus were coming back at any moment, conscious of the fact that He will be requiring an account of each of us as to how we invested the gifts He gave us for the good of His kingdom. (Matt. 25, Luke 19, Matt. 26:41, Matt. 5, Luke 11:33-36, Luke 12:35-40, Luke 21:34-36, 1Thess. 5:1-11, Rom. 13:11-14, 1Cor. 15:33-34, Heb. 2:1-4, Rev. 3:1-3) Run the good race. No one "runs a race" when they make a one-time confession, but being a disciple is LIVING for Jesus, FOLLOWING Him. (1Cor. 9:24-27, 1Cor. 15:33-34, Heb. 12:1, Philipp. 3:8-21, John 12:25-26, John 15:8, Titus 3:8, Eph. 2:10, Heb. 3:5-6, Heb. 3:12-14)

It is true that we can't save ourselves, even by choosing God of our own desire and will. However, He does draw people to Himself and if you feel that pull on your heart, don't resist. If you are already a “member of His team,” don’t run the bases half-heartedly as if you have hit a grand slam because you “don’t have to work for salvation” when it is already yours by grace through faith. Run like your life depends on it because the eternal lives of others who haven’t yet heard DO depend on it - (Rom. 10:14-15), and because Jesus gave His ALL for us. How can we be pleased with ourselves for doing less?

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:6-13

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-20

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:8-13

JESUS IS LORD

EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess Jesus is Lord, but there is only reward for doing so during this lifetime. Once we have seen with our own eyes and want to change our mind–change teams, if you will–it will be too late. Choose wisely now!

By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ Isaiah 45:23

For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

If you "think" you are "on God's team," but everyone around you would be surprised to hear that you consider yourself a Christian (in America we don't have to fear being killed for our faith, yet, and still people remain silent instead of standing up for Jesus–maybe because if we name the Name then we know we should live like it or else we are hypocrites - 2Tim. 2:19), then today would be a good day to repent of having lukewarm faith and get serious with God.

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14-22

The Difference

For anyone who is running from God today, I would advise against it. Christian song lyrics today are popular when they talk about God pursuing us.  It is true that without His calling us, we are unable to come to Him.  However, that is not the same as knowing His will and running away anyway.  Jonah ran and God did not coax him to return, but rather He put Jonah in a place where he had no other option but to repent of having run away and to call on God for help, promising to do His will as he should have done in the first place.

The prodigal son ran off to enjoy the world and squander his inheritance, but his father did NOT run after him to retrieve him and bring him to his senses. His father waited patiently for him to return and welcomed him back with great joy. His story could have ended tragically if he hadn't "come to himself" and realized how much better it was to be under his father's authority, which he had unwisely thought that he wanted freedom from. Isn't that exactly what the world promises us today?  "Freedom"?

We can learn from the prodigal son that our Father knows best and we only harm ourselves by rebelling against Him. His father patiently waited, watching and longing for his return, but at no point did he force him to do so. He was an adult making his own choices, good or bad. God does not violate our free will, which is a gift from Him, in accepting His gracious, merciful offer of salvation by grace through faith. Neither does He force us to remain faithful to Him in our thoughts, words and deeds.  If we truly believe in our hearts as well as our minds, then we (during this present age) have His Spirit within us to conform our desires and our will to align with His. Even so, we have the capability to resist.  If God wanted robots, He would have certainly have designed them instead, but He didn't.

God allows unpleasant and even unbearable circumstances in our lives so that we will cry out to Him in repentance and return to Him if we have strayed.  Even if we're not being deliberately wayward, our faith needs to be tried to be proven genuine. God has NO interest in false confessions of faith, fair-weather worshipers or people who believe in a God they have constructed in their own minds instead of in Him as He revealed Himself to us in the Holy Bible.  Will we trust Him no matter what our circumstances, as Job did when He was tested? Don't tempt God by running away from Him as fast as you can, thinking that is the way to get attention the way a wayward child in our society might do.  Just as with our own children, the attention gained by that kind of behavior will not be positive.

People who want to justify their "inability" to stop sinning often point to Paul's claiming to be the "worst of sinners." Paul was NOT referring to delighting in and taking pride in sin.  Paul was a Pharisee who believed in God, but rejected Jesus. The Pharisees enjoyed their power and status among the people and were not willing to give it up, even for God's own Son. They CHOSE unbelief, insisting that God's plan to deliver them must match their expectations of it. Like other Pharisees, Paul kept the LETTER of the law, but not the SPIRIT. One of his greatest sins had been to persecute Christians, and therefore Jesus, IN IGNORANCE. Paul wanted us to know that there is forgiveness for ANY sin, NOT that we are meant to continue sinning after coming to faith and NEW LIFE in Christ. He didn't contradict himself under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His words need to be taken in light of the rest of Scripture.

There is great joy in heaven when a sinner repents and Jesus said he was here to seek the lost. However, there is a difference in the way that God lovingly seeks one who is lost due to their own ignorance and the way He deals with one who willfully chooses to be "lost." If you belong to the one, true, living God and yet insist upon going your own way, then you can be sure that there will be suffering in your future. Just ask Paul. God disciplines each one He loves and all the Father gives to Jesus WILL come to Him. You will be glad of it when you look back and realize what nearly happened to you when you thought you knew better than God what was best for you. You'll be so relieved that God loved you enough to bring you to your knees and never let you go.

It's your choice if you want to do this the easy way or the hard way. I recommend submitting to God willingly as soon as possible. Don't look around you and think that nothing bad happens to other people who rebel against God. Either they will be "getting theirs" eventually on this earth, or they are not His at all. You worry about you and your own relationship with Him. He'll deal with them in His own way and His own timing.

To anyone who claims to believe in and belong to God and yet lives in a way that mocks His holiness and mighty power, as if He doesn't know and see what they are doing:  You are TEMPTING God.  Stop, NOW.  There are only two options. 1) You will be disciplined by God and it will not be pleasant, but it is far preferable to the other option: 2) You do not actually belong to Him!  In that case, you may do whatever you want, but it will result in your eventual punishment NEVER ending, because you have rejected the ONLY way to have your sins forgiven and washed away.

I recommend repenting ASAP.  Tear off the bandage that's hiding your sin and let God attend to you as His dear child so the healing can begin.  It will hurt for a while, but with time it will be forgotten and replaced with joy in Him.  God wants ALL to be saved.  This is your invitation to put your trust in Jesus, repenting of your unbelief as well as the sins that caused your separation from God.

Scripture Verses:

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,  “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”  But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.  But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.  Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.  So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”  And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.  Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”  And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”  Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.  Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.  He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.”  Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.  Therefore they called out to the LORD, “O LORD, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.”  So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.  Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.   And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:1-17

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.  For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.  Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’  The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head  at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.  When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.  Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.  But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”  And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah 2:1-10

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.  “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’  But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,  but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:11-32

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.  For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.  They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.  For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.  What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:17-22

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:12-16

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.  They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.  They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,  and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:17-32

Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies,  but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:13-26

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.  He will render to each one according to his works:  to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.  There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.  For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:4-11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:6-10

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.  But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”  And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:8-12

Then Job answered the LORD and said:  “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;  therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job 42:1-7

And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”  Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”  Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Matthew 4:5-11

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?  But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:1-10

"But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.  As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:7-11

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.  For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Isaiah 48:10-11

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:3-14

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:15-22 

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.  To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Acts 22:8 

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.  I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.”Acts 22:3-5

“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.  They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.” Acts 26:4-5

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:22-24

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

So he told them this parable:  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:3-7

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

For I [Jesus] will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:16

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Acts 5:40-42 

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. John 6:37-39

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!  For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!  Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.  For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.  In just a little  while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.  But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.  The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.  The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.  Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.  For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;  they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.  But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.  The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;  for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.  I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.  He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.  The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.  The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.  The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.  The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.  The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.  Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.  I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.  But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.  Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.  But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.  The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.  The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Psalm 37:1-40

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.  For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For they have no pangs  until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.  They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.  Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.  Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.  They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.  They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.  Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.  And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”  Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.  All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.  For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.  But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.  Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.  How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!  Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.  When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,  I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.  Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.  But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:1-28

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:12-15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:15-29

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 11  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.  Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.  What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.  I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:1-4, 11-23

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.  What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.  But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:8-10

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17